In fact, I did not mean anybody to have
heard of it till I had made up my mind, so that there would have been
no disappointment; but that naughty Cousin Rotherwood could not keep it
to himself; and so, my poor maidens, you have to bear it with a good
grace, and to be treated as my confidential friends.'
Mysie smiled and kissed her mother--Gillian cleared somewhat, but
observing, 'I only wish it wasn't clothes;' tried to dismiss the
subject as the gong began to sound, but Mysie caught her mother's
dress, and said, 'Mayn't I tell Fly, for a great secret?'
'No, my dear, certainly not. Fly is a dear little girl, but we don't
know how she can keep secrets, and it would never do to let the
Rotherwoods know; papa and Uncle William would be exceedingly annoyed.
And only think of Miss Hacket's feelings if it came round. It will be
hard enough to get her to take it now.'
'Perhaps she won't,' flashed into the minds of both girls; but Mysie
said entreatingly, 'One moment more, mamma, please! What can I say to
Fly that will be the truth?'
'Say that I find we cannot go, and that I had never promised,' said
Lady Merrifield. 'I trust you, my dears.'
And as she opened the door to hurry down to prayers, the two sisters
felt the words very precious and inspiriting. Mysie lingered on the
step and bravely asked Gillian whether her eyes looked like crying--
'No, only a little twinkly,' answered the elder sister; 'they will be
all right after prayers if you don't rub them.
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